Commonwealth Games coverage falls short with squash, bowls fans

Joelle King of New Zealand plays a forehand during her Women's Singles Quarter Final match against Joshna Chinappa of India on day three of the Gold Coast. Photo / Getty Images.

TVNZ's Commonwealth Games coverage is coming in for yet more criticism, with squash and bowls fans leading the charge.

Bowler Joe Edwards' comeback victory for a gold medal against Laura Davies of Wales was streamed online instead of being played on traditional TV channels on Sunday night.

Squash NZ felt compelled to alert viewers that finals involving Joelle King and Paul Coll would be online saying "We know this isn't going to be popular with some people. It is a TVNZ decision not Squash NZ."

Someone at @tvnz night need to explain why a bout between two nations not New Zealand, which took place six hours ago is considered more worthy than Joelle King’s live squash final.

— Eric Young (@RealEricYoung) April 9, 2018

TVNZ was already under fire for the avalanche of advertisements which have interrupted live broadcasts, but are stoutly defending their streaming approach.

Spokesperson Rachel Howard said the high number of Kiwi athletes at the Gold Coast games created difficulties, and the online avenue allowed TVNZ to show entire matches.

We have 2 kiwi squash players going for gold and it’s online @TVONENZ? I’ve been defending the adverts ‘cause I get that. But not this. How can we help lift the profile of low profile sports when they keep getting treated like low profile sports? #bowls #squash #disappointing

— Michelle Pickles (@MichellePickles) April 9, 2018

"(it) ensured we can show longer sessions without interrupting to cross to other sports during their crunch moments," she told Fairfax.

Because streaming was not possible or utilised by everyone, TVNZ was backing up the online coverage with repeats the following day.

But TVNZ's retort is unlikely to appease fans, who could not understand for instance why Edwards' match was streamed while non-Kiwi or non-medal events were on air instead.

@TVNZ are really dropping the ball right now. We have a boxing match between Zambia and Kenya on 1 right now! Crazy.

— Micheal Warren (@warrenmich1) April 9, 2018

Strange behaviour at TV1. Every night on TV1s Games coverage Toni Street chooses to give away the result of some events before her TV1 audience see them played! Its against every principle of sports broadcasting. Joelle King's final tonight was an example. Why?

— Keith Quinn (@KeithQuinn88) April 9, 2018